Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Aged 16 Years
43% ABV
$65
Color: Goldenrod...straw with a faint reddish tinge.
Smell: Oh boy. I just can't help but picture standing on a beach with a fire pit going. Olives, bacon...but subtley sweet. There's also the typical "band-aid" Islay note, but it's more gauze with less rubber...if that makes sense. Exquisite balance, and nothing overpowers.
Taste: The real deal. Delicate grain sweetness upfront with a hint of warm spice. The transition is where the smoke comes in - it sees the sweetness out the door and brings in its stead a warm briney aftertaste that lingers pleasantly and sets you up for your next sniff and sip.Overall: This is wonderful. Yes, this is a "big boy" Islay scotch, but everything is in perfect balance - the sweet, the smoke, the salty fat - both on the smell and in the mouth. This isn't "peat for the sake of peat" and, similarly, there isn't any overpowering oak barrel influence despite its 16 years of maturation. I can't recommend this highly enough - heady stuff!
What others have said:
Josh Peters at The Whiskey Jug rated it 95/100.
John Malatino at SmokeyPeat rated it 9.4/10.
The Scotch Noob rated it a "Must Have."
